Hijack (HJ)
The seat two positions to the right of the button (one to the right of the cutoff). A late-middle position.
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What Is Hijack (HJ)?
The hijack sits between middle position and the cutoff, offering a moderately favorable position with two players left to act behind before the button and cutoff. Opening ranges from the hijack are typically wider than from earlier seats but tighter than from the cutoff or button, reflecting its intermediate positional value.
Examples
A player in the hijack raises with Ace-Ten offsuit, a hand they might fold from earlier positions but is profitable enough given fewer players left to act.
A tight regular widens their hijack opening range compared to middle position but keeps it narrower than their cutoff range.
Strategy Tips
Open a moderately wide range from the hijack, wider than middle position but still tighter than the cutoff or button, reflecting the two players still left to act. Pay attention to the players in the cutoff and button, since aggressive players in those seats can 3-bet you more often, requiring a slightly tighter or more balanced range. Use the hijack as a good position to begin incorporating more suited connectors and suited aces into your opening range. Adjust your hijack strategy based on table dynamics, tightening against aggressive players behind you and loosening against passive ones.